Europe

UK announces deployment of military experts to counter Russian influence in Bosnia

'We cannot allow Western Balkans to become another playground for Putin’s pernicious pursuits,' says Premier Boris Johnson

Talha Ozturk  | 30.06.2022 - Update : 01.07.2022
UK announces deployment of military experts to counter Russian influence in Bosnia

BELGRADE, Serbia

The UK military specialists will be sent to Bosnia and Herzegovina to reinforce the NATO mission and promote stability and security in the country, the British prime minister announced on Thursday.

“We cannot allow the Western Balkans to become another playground for Putin’s pernicious pursuits. By fanning the flames of secessionism and sectarianism, Russia seeks to reverse the gains of the last three decades in Bosnia and Herzegovina, gains that have brought more stability to our whole continent.

“That is why we are stepping up support to Bosnia and Herzegovina, answering the call from our friends to help protect the peace they so rightfully deserve to enjoy,” said Boris Johnson, according to a statement by the government.

The government said the decision came at the request of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo as the country is facing the greatest existential threat with secessionist leaders actively working to create further division and conflict. “These plans are backed by Moscow as part of Putin’s drive to undermine both Bosnia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and its stability,” said the statement.

A UK counter-disinformation expert will help Bosnia and Herzegovinian armed forces block Russian and other efforts to sow mistrust and undermine democracy in the country and region, while a strategic defense adviser will help them develop a modern, representative armed force.

In addition, the UK will provide £750,000 ($908,291) to establish a cyber-security center of excellence within the University of Sarajevo, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, on social media, Johnson said the UK is answering Bosnia's call for help to preserve peace.

“Russia is stirring violence and secessionism in Bosnia & Herzegovina to undermine and destabilize the region. We are answering the call from our friends to help protect the hard-won peace,” said Johnson.

Political dispute

Bosnia-Herzegovina is currently embroiled in a political conflict between Bosniaks and Serbs living in the country.

The dispute erupted after Valentin Inzko, then-high representative, amended the criminal code in July 2021 to ban the denial of genocide and the glorification of war criminals.

Bosnian Serb lawmakers in response said they would boycott the country's institutions.

A Serb member of Bosnia's joint Presidency, Milorad Dodik, denounced the amendments saying: "We will not live in a country where someone can impose a law by simply publishing it on his website.”

One of the major current issues in the country is a bill aimed at transferring the powers of the nationally authorized Bosnia-Herzegovina Medicines and Medical Equipment Agency to a new institution to be established within Republika Srpska, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's two entities.

The steps have been criticized internationally for being motivated by Moscow as well as for violating the 1995 Dayton Accords and undermining the country's Constitution.

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